Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You – Manga Review

Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You is an ongoing Japanese manga by Jinushi. It began on Twitter as a webcomic in March 2022 and was later serialized in Square Enix’s Monthly Big Gangan magazine from August 2022. (Despite some confusion online, it is published by Square Enix – not Kadokawa – under the Big Gangan Comics imprint.) The series is a seinen romantic comedy/slice-of-life with a gentle, bittersweet tone.

It follows Sasaki, a 45-year-old overworked salaryman, and Yamada (alias “Tayama”), a friendly young supermarket cashier with a secret double life. It’s about an “overworked salaryman and a mischievous cashier with a dual personality” who form an unexpected bond. In other words, Sasaki’s only solace each day is smoking and chatting – first at Yamada’s checkout, and then, late one night, with the leather-jacketed “Tayama” at the smoking area. He doesn’t realize Tayama is actually Yamada, his idolized cashier, which drives the charming tension of the story.

Story Summary (Up to Chapter 48)

At the start of the manga, we meet Mr. Sasaki, a weary middle-aged businessman. His only light in a dull work life is the cheerful Yamada at the supermarket checkout. One night, Yamada is off duty and Sasaki, frustrated and missing his daily “Yamada fix,” goes out to smoke. There he’s approached by Tayama, a cool, pierced woman in a leather jacket who invites him to a secret smoking spot behind the store. Sasaki, exhausted and grateful, strikes up an easy friendship with Tayama – unaware that she is in fact his beloved Yamada in a different guise. This setup – Sasaki treating sweet Yamada and brash Tayama very differently – is the core premise. Sasaki adores Yamada’s sunny, polite side but is intimidated by the independent, assertive Tayama (even worrying if her bare midriff might get cold!), yet he fails to connect that they’re the same person.

 

In Volume 1 (Chapters “Smoke 1” through about “Smoke 16”), most chapters revolve around one smoke break. We see Sasaki unload his work frustrations to Tayama and draw comfort from her teasing encouragement. Meanwhile, Yamada (who smiles and chats with him during the day) is bemused by Sasaki’s behavior at checkout. Early on the reader already guesses the secret, but Sasaki does not. In one memorable sequence, Sasaki even brings Tayama a gift (a lighter) only to find a strict older woman vaping at their spot. That woman turns out to be Manager Goto, who promptly scolds Tayama when Sasaki’s back is turned. We the audience realize Goto is warning Yamada not to tease Sasaki with the charade – but Sasaki walks away clueless. By the end of Vol. 1, Goto outright tells Yamada she should stop pretending – but Sasaki still has no idea that his two favorite women are one and the same.

Volume 2 and 3 (up to around Chapter 40) expand the cast and deepen the situation. Sasaki faces new challenges (for example, a scary medical misdiagnosis) but keeps returning each night to his calming chats with Tayama. New co-workers, like the chief cashier Maezawa and assistant Ohno, enter the story, adding small subplot gags and occasionally taking Sasaki’s side if he struggles. The slice-of-life humor continues in holiday and everyday settings. For instance, in Vol. 3 around the year’s end, a busybody co-worker mistakenly claims Sasaki is secretly married – leading to awkward but funny misunderstandings at the store. On Christmas Eve, Sasaki even runs into a painfully shy new clerk at the supermarket, creating a gentle “meet-cute” subplot. Finally a New Year’s message arrives that shakes the dynamic between Sasaki and Tayama. Through all of this, Sasaki still doesn’t connect Tayama to Yamada, even though Yamada knows he’s seeing Tayama. These chapters show the routine continuing: Sasaki stops by the “2nd register” just for Yamada during the day, and later sits with Tayama behind the store, revealing his thoughts and cares to her.

 

By the time we reach Chapter 48, the slow build-up pays off. Subtle clues have gradually made Sasaki uneasy – he notices Tayama dropping hints about Yamada, and he feels conflicted that he’s falling for someone he already knows. Chapter 48 is the turning point: Sasaki finally begins to suspect that Tayama must be Yamada. In a quiet final scene in this chapter, they end up talking together on a park bench. The usually self-assured Tayama is noticeably tender, and Sasaki is visibly moved – it’s a genuinely emotional moment. Without giving away spoilers, the chapter closes with the atmosphere charged (and Sasaki on the verge of understanding the truth). In short, up through Chap. 48 we’ve seen a gentle friendship bloom into something deeper, and the revelation is about to hit.

 

Themes and Tone

From the beginning, the manga’s tone is quiet, warm, and often funny. It’s been described as “a rather charming, gentle slice-of-life comedy about a May-December friendship”– meaning it treats the age gap (Sasaki in his 40s vs. Yamada/Tayama in her 20s) as part of the appeal. The dialogue is light and teasing; Sasaki’s self-effacing honesty pairs well with Yamada/Tayama’s playful sass. The series balances comedy and heart: scenes like Sasaki fumblingly giving Tayama his coat or blushing over her banter are heart-warming.

 

A core theme is double identity and perception. Sasaki has built up Yamada into an ideal figure in his mind, while treating Tayama with honor – it’s touching that he admires “Yamada’s smile” so much. When Yamada knows Sasaki likes her, she’s tickled pink, yet she’s also gently frustrated that he hasn’t figured it out. This playful tension drives much of the series: as one reviewer put it, it appeals to fans of a “will-he, won’t-he?” vibe in slice-of-life manga.

The art style matches the mood. Jinushi’s black-and-white drawings are clean and expressive. Yamada’s “day” outfit (demure hair and apron) contrasts visually with Tayama’s “night” look (short hair, leather jacket, ear piercings), so even though Sasaki can’t tell them apart, we (and Yamada’s friends) can immediately see which persona she’s in. Facial expressions are drawn with clarity – Sasaki’s weary eyes and blushing cheeks convey his world-weariness and embarrassment very well. Backgrounds (like the supermarket aisles and lonely parking lot) are simply rendered, keeping the focus on the characters’ faces and dialogue. Overall the art has a relaxed, gentle quality that fits the story’s laid-back pacing.

 

What Works

• Charming Character Dynamics: The friendship/romance between Sasaki and Yamada/Tayama is very endearing. Sasaki’s genuine kindness and vulnerability make him instantly sympathetic. Yamada/Tayama’s dual nature means he gets both her warm smile and her spiky humor. I found myself truly rooting for them; as one review noted, it’s “impossible not to root for this May-September couple to confess that they like each other”. The playful teasing (especially from Yamada’s coworker Goto) adds humor without undercutting Sasaki’s sincerity. Sasaki often blushes or stammers in the best way, making the tension delightful.
• Unique Premise: The basic idea – a secret double life – is cleverly handled. It’s not a “superpower” or mystery; it’s very grounded (just two personas of the same person with different attitudes). This double-life twist provides consistent low-key drama. For example, the official blurb even highlights it as “a mischievous cashier with a dual personality” bonding with a weary salaryman. It makes routine events (like a smoke break) feel special. Each time Sasaki is thrown off-guard by Tayama’s knowledge (or by a sly question she asks), it’s cute and funny. As a reader, I’m constantly amused and warmed by how long Sasaki stays oblivious – even though it’s obvious to us.
• Slow-Burn Romance: The pacing is very deliberate, which I personally enjoyed. Each meeting is short (often only during a cigarette) but carries weight. The story is a classic “slow burn,” letting feelings build gradually. This creates steady tension: every scene feels intimate and meaningful. If you enjoy savoring little moments (a quiet conversation under starry sky, or Sasaki’s bashful smile), the manga delivers that. 
• Humor and Heart: Despite the somewhat sad context (Sasaki’s burnout, Yamada’s lonely secret), the mood stays light. Comical misunderstandings (like Sasaki overreacting when Tayama jokingly says “Yamada’s your favorite, huh?”) and manager Goto’s melodramatic scolding keep things fun. At the same time, there are genuinely touching scenes. By vol.3 I found myself smiling one moment and misty-eyed the next. The balance of warmth and humor gives the story a cozy feel.
• Art and Atmosphere: The art is another highlight. The character designs are simple but attractive – the contrast between Yamada’s gentle eyes and Tayama’s confident grin is great. Backgrounds aren’t overdone; they emphasize Sasaki’s isolation (often showing him alone smoking) or the cozy crowd at the register. The black-and-white art has a crispness that matches the straightforward storytelling. I found the illustrations calming; they keep the focus on the characters’ expressions, which carry most of the emotion.

Criticisms

• Pacing Issues: The slow-burn nature is also a double-edged sword. Because each chapter is essentially one smoke break or short scene, the story can feel a bit stagnant. Some chapters end almost exactly when the cigarette finishes, making them very slice-of-life and self-contained. I appreciate the atmosphere, but at times I yearned for more events or progress. For example, it took nearly 48 chapters for Sasaki to finally connect Tayama to Yamada. Readers expecting a quicker revelation might find this too drawn-out. On the other hand, the deliberate pacing lets small character beats land effectively, so it’s a matter of taste.
• Repetitive Structure: Relatedly, many chapters follow a similar pattern: Sasaki arrives, they smoke and chat about his work stress or minor happenings, then he leaves. The first 20-30 chapters felt charmingly cozy, but beyond that the formula does repeat. Occasionally it felt like reading very short strips rather than a continuous story – enjoyable in pieces, but somewhat repetitive when read in a long binge. Again, this is intentional (the manga leans into the daily/weekly routine), but it can feel repetitive over dozens of chapters.
• Slow Character Progression: Because of the form, character growth is gradual. Yamada herself doesn’t openly change a lot – she remains sweet but mischievous – and Sasaki’s personal life (work stress, home life) remains mostly in the background. If you want major life-altering drama, it’s not really that kind of story. For me it was fine, but I recognize some readers might get impatient with how long Sasaki stays in the dark. Yamada teasing him without revealing herself could be frustrating to watch (even if it’s also sweet).
• Smoking Content: (Minor point) The whole premise depends on cigarettes, which may be off-putting to some readers. The manga does touch on health a bit (there’s a chapter about Sasaki considering quitting), but if smoking is a sensitive issue it’s something to note. That said, the story never glamorizes smoking for teens or anything; it’s just portrayed as Sasaki’s stress relief.

 

Conclusion and Recommendations

Overall, I do recommend Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You to readers who enjoy quiet, character-driven romances with a touch of humor. Its charm lies in the small details: the way Sasaki’s eyes light up when Yamada smiles, and how Tayama’s bravado slips into genuine concern late at night. The series excels at depicting a gentle, everyday bond between two very different people. 

While I wished for slightly faster plot progression (I was very eager for Sasaki to learn the truth by chapter 48!), the payoff chapter showed the author handling the reveal with real emotion. The art and writing work so well together that even slice-of-life fans with no huge expectations will find it engaging.

Looking ahead, I hope the next chapters capitalize on this turning point. I’m excited to see Sasaki and Yamada/Tayama finally confront the secret. Will Sasaki feel hurt at being deceived, or charmed that she only lied out of affection? Will they finally admit their feelings? I’m kept hooked by these questions.

 

In short, Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You is a highly enjoyable slow-burn romance that I’ve happily followed up to the latest chapter. Its strengths – the lovable characters and unique double-life setup – far outweigh any repetitive moments. I recommend giving it a try if you like gentle, heartwarming comedies with adult characters. If you continue reading, hopefully Sasaki and Yamada will get their moment in the sun soon – and I can’t wait to see how their relationship blossoms in future volumes.